The United Nations warns that tighter US sanctions on Cuba are causing serious harm to children’s health, citing rising infant mortality and worse outcomes for children with cancer. In its assessment, the UN says that restrictions associated with Washington’s pressure campaign are contributing to plummeting survival rates for pediatric cancer patients and other declines in health-related indicators.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk characterizes the impact as “unacceptable,” linking it to US efforts to force change on the island. According to reporting, the UN points to actions that reduce fuel shipments and other support to Cuba’s government, which it says limits access for Cuba’s population—reported as about 10 million people—to essentials including water, food, and healthcare.
The UN’s statements are presented as among its strongest criticisms of US sanctions policy toward Cuba. The outlets report that the UN’s concerns focus on the humanitarian effects on children, with particular emphasis on infant mortality and pediatric cancer treatment outcomes. The summaries reflect the UN’s position and do not include an opposing view from the US in the provided excerpts.
